Welcome back to the fourth year running of Otaku Journalist’s holiday gift guide! Every holiday season I say the same thing: by now every anime fan knows where to get anime, whether streaming through Crunchyroll or on DVD via Right Stuf, so it’s better to think outside the box (set). Still, it can be tough to figure out which anime-related gifts to get. That’s where this guide comes in!
These are my 2016 picks that I think any anime fan would be thrilled to receive—all for $50 or less. As always, Amazon links are affiliate links.
Books and Stationary
1. Anime: A History by Jonathan Clements. The closest thing we have to a total English-language timeline of anime. An educational book for sure, but not too dense to really get into. $27, amazon.
2. Campus Notes. Write in the same notebooks that feature in so many different anime that take place in high school. The dots make them perfect for use as a Bullet Journal. $10, amazon.
3. Cool Japan Guide by Abby Denson. Full of colorful comics and handwritten tips, this graphic-novel guide is perfect for anybody planning on making their first trip to Japan. $10, amazon.
Clothing and Accessories
4. Luna crop top. Anime merchandise has gotten a lot nicer since the days of custom printing your own fan tees. This Sailor Moon tribute is practically high fashion. $17, Hot Topic.
5. Hime-chan Christmas Sweater. Now you can wear Crunchyroll Hime to an ugly sweater party with this orange top that can only be described as a “statement piece.” $34, Crunchyroll.
6. Spirited Away Socks. This No Face number is just one of four Studio Ghibli sock designs you can choose. They’re all next-day shipping with Amazon Prime. $11.50, amazon.
DIY Ita Bag
This next section requires some explanation because all three of these gifts go together! I recently learned about ita bags, which roughly translates to “painful bags” in English. Basically, you display your geeky passions in the forms of pins and keychains through the bag’s clear panel, putting your obsession on full display. When I looked over the summer I couldn’t find a way to buy ita bags in North America, but the wait is apparently over!
7. Fuji enamel pin. If you don’t want to go full trash, you can still subtly show your Japanophile interests with this kawaii Mt. Fuji pin. $9, askingfortrouble on Etsy.
8. Heart ita bag. Show your geeky passions through this paneled bag in turquoise, pink, lavender, mint, black or white. $20, amazon.
9. Hunter x Hunter pins. Probably what I’d pick for my own ita bag since I’m not over this show yet. Cute fan art by two indie artists. $9, HideAwayMelon on Etsy.
Figures and Toys
10. Zelda Nenderoid. Going to need to buy this as a companion to my Wind Waker Link Nenderoid. Cool details, sweet faces, and an impressive bow and arrow accessory. $50, amazon.
11. Bulbasaur Planter. This 3D printed planter comes in a rainbow of color choices. I would swap out different plants to change Bulbasaur’s “look” throughout the year. $7, Edgehill3D on Etsy.
12. Petit Panda. If this cutie doesn’t convince you why I have a Gunpla obsession, nothing will. Petit Beargguys are the easiest type of Gunpla to build, great for beginners. $7.50, amazon.
See also: